Just 15 minutes west of Santa Rosa, the large town of Sebastopol is situated in Central Sonoma County. The liberal and laid-back community was originally an orchard town, planted with groves of apples and plums when the region was settled in the 1800’s. Today, Sebastopol is primarily a grape-growing region, although the original claim to fame, the Gravenstein apple, can still be found in town and is still celebrated with an annual Gravenstein Apple Fair. The new wineries, tasting rooms, and restaurants in the area have made Sebastopol into the sophisticated wine country destination that it is today.

Founded by hippies during the 1960’s, a sign declaring Sebastopol a “Nuclear Free Zone” still stands downtown. Although there are new tasting rooms and farm-to-table eateries opening up in town, the area is still home to quirky shops and multiple vintage clothing stores. For visitors looking to enjoy the wilds of the region, the 254 square miles of freshwater wetlands in the Laguna Wetlands Preserve offer hiking trails and ample birdwatching opportunity.

Looking for a spot to taste some good wines? Be sure to stop for a flight of the small-batch MacPhail Family Wines poured at the MacPhail Tasting Loungeat the Barlow. Then explore the natural beauty of Ragle Ranch Regional Park, a park covering 157 acres and offering hiking trails, equestrian trails, and picnic areas.